Facebook to go on hiring spree

Facebook said it is expanding its New York operations by opening an engineering office in the city next year, the company’s first such facility situated on the East Coast. Facebook has grown rapidly since its launch seven years ago, to more than 800 million users worldwide, and has nearly 3,000 employees.

The company also announced plans to scout technical talent and recruit thousands of New York-based engineers on Friday afternoon.

Facebook chief operating officer Sheryl Sandberg, together with New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg and Senator Charles Schumer, told reporters, “Building an engineering presence outside the West Coast is a big step for us, one we would take only if we found the right combination of talent and community support.”

“We're particularly grateful for the encouragement and assistance of New York's elected leaders, who understand what it takes to build a climate where technology can fuel economic growth and the creation of high skilled jobs,” she added.

“We are trying to grow at a clip that will allow us to get the very best people and integrate them,” Sandberg said. “We will be adding thousands of employees in the next year.”

New York office to open in early 2012:- Facebook has grown rapidly since its launch seven years ago, to more than 800 million users worldwide, and has nearly 3,000 employees.

The engineering unit, to be located near Grand Central Terminal, is all set to open early 2012 and the company will start accepting job applications immediately.

Facebook already has about 100 employees focusing on marketing and global recruiting in its New York office that was opened in 2007.

Serkan Piatino, an engineering manager at the company who handles Facebook chat and messages, will head the New York engineering team, the company said.

Sandberg declined to comment on exactly how many people Facebook is planning to hire in New York, but said the company will probably bring on thousands of new workers over the next year.

“We are trying to grow at a clip that will allow us to get the very best people and integrate them,” Sandberg said. “We will be adding thousands of employees in the next year.”

Growing high-tech trend in New York City:- Other high-tech businesses already established in New York City include internet giants Google and Microsoft, and start-ups like Foursquare and Tumblr.

Google recently picked up a 2.9 million-square-foot office building in Chelsea, and Twitter moved into a space on Madison Avenue. Facebook also announced plans to scout technical talent and recruit thousands of New York-based engineers on Friday afternoon.

Facebook vice president of engineering Mike Schroepfer stated, “One of the things that really makes a technology center work is a community.”

“So you may be working for Facebook, but you want to go and meet and exchange ideas and best practices with other people who are doing similar jobs. I think that community has been part of the fuel that made Silicon Valley a success. It’s clear New York has that community, as well,” he said.